August sales for the retailer reached $4.2 billion, an increase of 17.2 percent from $3.6 billion for the same month last year. Sales in comparable stores (those open at least a year) rose 10.6 percent.

Pharmacy sales - which accounted for 66.5 percent of total sales for the month -- increased 19.6 percent, while comparable pharmacy sales increased 13 percent. Total prescriptions filled at comparable stores increased 8.9 percent. There were no calendar day shifts that impacted comparable pharmacy sales.

Walgreen's year-to-date sales were just over $32 billion, an increase of 13.3 percent from last year's $28.3 billion.

Fiscal year 2006 sales for the retailer reached $47.4 billion, up 12.3 percent from last year's $42.4 billion. Comparable store sales for the fiscal year to date increased 7.8 percent.

Walgreens opened 72 stores during August -- including 12 relocations and one acquired specialty pharmacy -- and closed one store. As of August 31, the company operated 5,461 drugstores in 47 states and Puerto Rico, versus 4,985 a year ago. Store counts include 38 home care division locations this year and 32 last year.